Report of
FNCA 2014 Workshop on Research Reactor Network Project

October 14-16, 2014Bangkok, Thailand

FNCA FY2014 Workshop on Research Reactor Network (RRN) was held from October 14 to 16, 2014, in Bangkok, Thailand. This Workshop was hosted by Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.

This project started from 2011 and this is 1st year of 2nd phase, mainly status of the research/test reactors and isotope production in their countries were reported and their possible regional network in Asia was discussed.

[Workshop]
Opening addresses by Dr. Somporn CHONGKUM, Executive Director, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), and Dr. Sueo MACHI, FNCA Coordinator of Japan were delivered.
In Session 1, Dr. Machi gave a presentation on the achievement of 10 FNCA projects and Dr. Kaminaga specified the achievement and challenge of the FNCA RRN Project, mentioning to the activities of 1st phase.

In Session 2, lead speeches by Australia, Indonesia, Korea and Japan were delivered on the network of the production of medical isotopes (Mo-99) for stable supply, and the rest member countries presented the country reports, then they discussed.

In Session 3, lead speeches by IAEA, Japan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Vietnam were delivered on the development of technology producing Mo-99 by the use of n-gamma reaction, then they discussed.
In Session 4, lead speeches by Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and Mongolia were delivered on the design and planning of new research reactors to meet the applications, then they discussed.
In Session 5, wrap-up of the WS including presentation of short summary report for FNCA 15th Ministerial Level Meeting was summarized. The Workshop drew to a successful close with closing remarks by Dr. MACHI.

[Open Seminar]
The open seminar on "Nuclear Technology for Mankind" was held on October 16, after the completion of the workshop. After the opening speeches by Dr. Somporn CHONGKUM, TINT, the topical reports were presented by Dr. Sueo MACHI (Japan), Mr. Chanatip TIPPAYAKUL (Thailand), Mr. LEE Kye Hong (Korea) and Mr. Michael DRUCE (Australia) from workshop participants, and by Dr. Nateekool KRIENGCHAIPORN from Thailand.

[Technical Visit]
On October 16, after the open seminar, participants of FNCA workshop visited Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), including the Triga research reactor (TRR1-M1), radioisotope production facilities, etc.

The meeting noted that the completion of new reactor in KAERI to produce isotopes is to be in operation in 2018. The capacity will be 2,000 6dayCi/w Mo-99 however for the first 5 years the production will be 1000 6dayCi/w.

2.

The meeting noted new facility in ANSTO with the capacity of production of 3,500 6dayCi/w Mo-99 in ANSTO will be completed in 2016.

3.

The meeting recognized that the production capacity of Mo-99 in the FNCA region (without China) will be more than 5,500 6dayCi/week by 2018 which is larger than the demand in the range of 3000 6dayCi/week, and therefore supply of Mo-99 in the region will be potentially assured.

4.

The meeting noted concern for the assurance of supply of Mo-99 in 2014-15.

5.

The meeting in this respect, strongly recommends the Gov. of Indonesia to take action to produce Mo-99 by using BATAN's 30 MW reactor as soon as possible.

6.

The meeting regrets that China is not represented at the meeting, and noted the amount of demand and the production capacity of Mo-99 in China is not known.

7.

The meeting noted that JAEA in cooperation of Chiyoda Technol Corporation will start Mo-99 production in 2019 to supply 20% of Mo-99 demand in Japan.

8.

The meeting noted that 5000 6dayCi/w Mo-99 are consumed in the USA. This is predominantly supplied from Nordion, Canada, which will stop in 2016, and therefore, the USA government plans to apply a variety of technologies using its nuclear reactors and accelerators to ensure the supply of Mo-99.

9.

The meeting agreed that the FNCA RRN Project should continue its activity to exchange information on production plans and demand of Mo-99 in the member countries. Coordination of supply between member countries and also with AIPES, NEA should occur to ensure the stable supply.

10.

The meeting recommends establishing the coordination mechanism among major producers and consumers of Mo-99, namely ANSTO, KAERI, BATAN, representative of China, and JRIA (JAEA) to ensure security of Mo-99 supply.

Production technology of Mo-99 by n-gamma reaction

11.

The meeting recognized that n-gamma technology is more appropriate for small scale production of Mo-99 for local demand in the country, and that the fission technology is suitable for larger scale production for international markets.

12.

The meeting noted that Kazakhstan has been successful to produce Mo-99 by n-gamma technology using gel method, providing 5 generators per week for hospitals.

13.

The meeting noted that CTC of Japan is developing technology to produce Mo-99 by solvent (MEK) extraction method to produce at the scale of 250 6dayCi/w to start commercial production in 2019.

14.

The meeting noted that Vietnam has developed the gel method to produce Mo-99 by the support of IAEA, and that both fission and n-gamma method should be used to produce Mo-99 by using new research reactor of 15 MWt.

15.

The meeting highly appreciates IAEA's support for developing technology to produce Mo-99 by n-gamma reaction using gel method and solvent extraction method through CRP and TC program, and hope to further support to transfer of this technology for the local demand.

16.

The meeting noted that the Philippines (PNRI) requests BATAN to irradiate Mo-98 target in its 30 MW reactor for the local production of Mo-99 by n-gamma technology in the Philippines (PNRI).

17.

Meeting recommends that sharing experience and information on Mo-99 production by n-gamma reaction should be continued to enhance the commercial application of the technology to meet national demand of nuclear medicine.

Design and application of research reactor

18.

The meeting noted that VINATOM of Vietnam has the plan to construct the multi-purpose research reactor of 15 MW to be operated before 2020 by the support of Russia. Feasibility study should be carried out by collaboration with Russia.

19.

The meeting noted that TINT of Thailand has plan to construct new research reactor for multiple purposes including production of isotopes, silicone doping, gemstone coloring, basic research by neutron beams and training nuclear engineers.

20.

The meeting noted that KAERI is constructing the research reactor of 15 MWt of which focuses on the production of isotopes including Mo-99 by fission method and silicone doping to produce semiconductor. The first production of Mo-99 will be Nov. 2018.

21.

The meeting noted that Mongolia Gov. is considering the construction of multi-purpose research reactor of 5-10 MWt and the final decision will be made in 5 years.

22.

The meeting recommends that information exchange on planning and designing new research reactors should be continued. This is useful for the member countries since Thailand, Vietnam, and Mongolia have common task for new reactor, while Australia, China, Japan, and Korea have extensive experiences in design and construction of research/test reactors which can be shared.

Session 2: Network of the production of medical isotopes (Mo-99) for stable supplyChair: Malaysia(1) Lead speeches:
1) Australia: Production plan till 2017 and after 2018 with upgraded plant
2) Indonesia: Increased production plan to meet FNCA MC demand
3) Korea: Production plan by the new reactor after 2018
4) Japan: Plan of production and supply till 2017 (JRIA)
5) JIRA: Report of NEA committee on Mo-99 production and demand
worldwide particularly in Asia (2) Country report:
Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Mongolia, The
Philippines on current status and plan of Mo-99 supply to meet demand (3) DiscussionPoints of Discussion
1) Strategy and challenges of stable supply of Mo-99 to meet demand till 2017
2) Possible increase of Mo-99 production in BATAN
3) Import of Mo-99 from countries outside of FNCA region till 2017
4) Schedule of the increased production of Mo-99 by ANSTO, KAERI and JAEA after 2018 to meet regional demand

15:30-15:45

Coffee break

15:45-16:15

Session 2: Network of the production of medical isotopes (Mo-99) for stablesupply (cont.)Chair: Malaysia(4) Plan of the activities for this project component(5) Session summary and conclusion

16:15-18:00

Session 3:Development of technology producing Mo-99 by the use of n-gamma reactionChair: the Philippines(1) Lead speeches:
1) IAEA: Prospectus of production of Mo-99 by n-gamma reaction
2) Japan: R/D on large scale production of Mo-99 by n- gamma reaction
and extraction method
3) Kazakhstan: Commercial production of Mo-99 by n- gamma reaction
4) Indonesia: Experience of production of Mo-99 by n- gamma reaction in
cooperation of Japan under FNCA
5) Vietnam: Production of Mo-99 by n- gamma reaction by gel method

Day 2 (October 15, 2014)

09:00-10:00

Session 3:Development of technology producing Mo-99 by the use of n-gamma reaction (cont.)Chair: the Philippines(2) DiscussionPoints of Discussion
1) Advantages and disadvantages over the fission method in terms of
wastes management, non-proliferation, and economics
2) Technical challenges of Production of Mo-99 by n-gamma reaction
3) IAEA points of view(3) Plan of the activities for this project component(4) Session summary and conclusion

10:00-10: 15

Coffee break

10:15-12:00

Session 4:Design and planning of new research reactors to meet the applicationsChair: Bangladesh(1) Lead speeches:
1) Thailand: Planning and purpose of new research reactor construction
2) Vietnam: Planning and purpose of new research reactor in connection
with power reactor construction
3) Korea: Current status of construction of new research reactor and plan
of starting operation, and feature of the reactor producing RIs
4) Japan: Proposal and plan of joint design of advances research/test
reactor in Japan
5) Mongolia

12:00-13:00

Lunch

13:00-14:30

Session 4:Design and planning of new research reactors to meet the applications (cont.)Chair: Bangladesh(2) DiscussionPoints of Discussion
1) Possible cooperation between member countries on the design of new
research reactors
2) Human resource development for new reactors in Thailand and
Vietnam
3) Possible sharing of utilization of the new research reactors by FNCA
countries (3) Plan of the activities for this project component (4) Session summary and conclusion